In
early 1944, he joined the 31st Fighter Group in Italy and
the group then exchanged their Spitfires for P-51 Mustangs.
They provided long range escort for heavy bombers deep
into Europe and the Balkan Islands.
Brooks recorded his first victory over Ploesti, Romania
in April 1944.
While on a special mission from Russia to Lvov, Poland,
Brooks led the 307th Fighter Squadron on an engagement
with 40 JU-87 Stuka dive bombers. Twenty-seven of the
40 enemy aircraft were destroyed and the 31st received
its second Unit Citation. Brooks also received the Silver
Star. He ended his tour with 280 combat hours, 13 confirmed
kills and three damaged aircraft in the air, mostly ME-109s.
|